Pipe joint components

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a pipe joint member with which an operator can more reliably recognize that fluid pressure is being applied to the pipe joint member when an attempt was made to connect a corresponding pipe joint member while fluid pressure was applied to the pipe joint member. [Solution] A female pipe joint member 10 is removably connected to a corresponding male pipe joint member 1. When the female pipe joint member 10 receives fluid pressure from the rear-end opening 14 with the male pipe joint member 1 in a disconnected state, a second slide member 26 is displaced to the forward position, and a first lock 78 is held in a displacement-preventing position by the second slide member 26. This prevents a first slide member 24 from being displaced from a forward position to a rearward position. If an attempt is made to insert the male pipe joint member 1 into an internal space 16 of the female pipe joint member 10, a front end surface 2 of the male pipe joint member 1 engages with the first slide member 24 and the male pipe joint member 1 cannot be inserted to a predetermined position where connection will be completed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe joint member that is detachably connected to a corresponding pipe joint member, and particularly to a pipe joint member that prevents the connection of the corresponding pipe joint member when fluid pressure is applied to the pipe joint member.

Background Art

[0002] In a pipe joint member that handles a high-pressure fluid such as hydrogen gas filled in a fuel cell vehicle, it is necessary to ensure sufficient safety. In particular, if the corresponding pipe joint member is connected while a high fluid pressure from the fluid supply source is applied to the pipe joint member connected to the fluid supply source, the high-pressure fluid will spurt out vigorously to the outside, which is dangerous. In addition, there is also a risk that the corresponding pipe joint member will be blown away by the jet of the high-pressure fluid. Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, the corresponding pipe joint member cannot be connected to the pipe joint member when fluid pressure is applied to the pipe joint member. Specifically, when fluid pressure is applied in a disconnected state, the valve member built into the pipe joint member is prevented from being displaced to the open position, and the holding member for holding the locking member for connecting and holding the corresponding pipe joint member is prevented from operating. As a result, even if the corresponding pipe joint member is inserted into the pipe joint member connected to the fluid supply source, the valve member will not be in an open state, so the high-pressure fluid will not spurt out. In addition, since the holding member does not operate, the operator can recognize that fluid pressure is applied to the pipe joint member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The conventional pipe joint members described above make it possible to prevent the connection of corresponding pipe joint members while fluid pressure is applied to the pipe joint member. However, even if the corresponding pipe joint member has been inserted to the predetermined position, the operator may mistakenly believe that the retaining member is not moving properly and attempt to force the retaining member into place. Alternatively, they may try to force the corresponding pipe joint member in, believing that it has not been inserted sufficiently. Such forceful operations may result in damage to the pipe joint member or injury to the operator.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a pipe joint member that allows an operator to more reliably recognize that fluid pressure is being applied to a pipe joint member when attempting to connect a corresponding pipe joint member while fluid pressure is being applied to the pipe joint member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In other words, the present invention is A pipe joint member that is detachably connected to a corresponding pipe joint member, A joint body having a front end opening, a rear end opening, a tubular portion having an internal space extending between the front end opening and the rear end opening, and an internally extending portion extending from the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion within the internal space, A connecting locking member is attached to the joint body and is displaceable between a connecting position in which it engages with a corresponding pipe joint member inserted from the front end opening to a predetermined position in the internal space to connect the corresponding pipe joint member to the pipe joint member, and a disconnecting position in which it detaches from the corresponding pipe joint member to release the connection between the corresponding pipe joint member and the pipe joint member. A first slide member is disposed within the internal space and is displaced from a forward position to a backward position by being pushed by the corresponding pipe joint member when the corresponding pipe joint member is inserted to the predetermined position, A second slide member is disposed within the internal space and is configured to be displaced from a rearward position to a forward position when subjected to fluid pressure from the side of the rear end opening, A first locking element disposed on the inner extension, the first locking element being displaceable between a displacement-preventing position that prevents the first slide member from being displaced from the front position to the rear position and a displacement-allowing position that allows the first slide member to be displaced from the front position to the rear position, Equipped with, The present invention provides a pipe joint member such that when the second slide member is displaced to the forward position, the first locking element is held in a displacement-preventing position by the second slide member.

[0007] In this pipe joint member, when fluid pressure is applied from the rear end opening side while the corresponding pipe joint member is not connected, the second slide member is displaced to a forward position, thereby holding the first locking element in a displacement-preventing position. As a result, the first slide member is prevented from being displaced from the forward position to the rear position. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to insert the corresponding pipe joint member into the pipe joint member, it cannot be inserted to the predetermined position where it will hit the first slide member and complete the connection. The operator can easily recognize that fluid pressure has already been applied to the pipe joint member because the corresponding pipe joint member cannot be inserted to the predetermined position.

[0008] in particular, The inner extension extends forward from the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion, defining a slide housing space between it and the inner circumferential surface. The first slide member is at least partially located within the slide housing space, The second slide member is located at least partially radially inward of the inner extension portion, The first locking element can be configured to protrude radially outward from the inner extension portion and engage with the first sliding member at the displacement-preventing position.

[0009] Also, A sleeve is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the joint body and is displaceable between a locked position that holds the connecting locking member in the connected position and an unlocked position that allows the connecting locking member to be displaced to the disconnected position. A second locking element disposed within a locking element holding hole formed in the tubular portion, which engages with the sleeve and the sleeve Unlock position The holding position in which the sleeve is held, and the sleeve Unlock position A second locking element is displaceable between a release position that allows displacement from the locked position to the locked position, Furthermore, When the first slide member is in the forward position, the second locking element is held in the holding position by the first slide member. When the first slide member is in the rear position, the second locking element can be displaced to the release position.

[0010] moreover, A flow path component is disposed within the internal space and has a front-end connecting portion connected to a corresponding pipe joint member inserted into the internal space, a rear-end valve pressing portion, and a first flow path portion extending rearward from the connecting portion, and is displaced from a front position to a rear position when the corresponding pipe joint member is inserted to the predetermined position, A valve member positioned behind the aforementioned flow path component, A spring that biases the valve member forward, Furthermore, The second slide member has a second flow channel that extends in the front-rear direction and communicates with the first flow channel, The valve member is displaceable relative to the second slide member between a closed position in which it is pressed against the second slide member by the spring to close the second flow path and an open position in which it is displaced rearward relative to the second slide member to open the second flow path. When the flow path component is in the forward position, the valve member moves forward together with the second slide member when the second slide member is displaced to the forward position, and remains in the closed position. When the flow path component is in the rear position, the valve member can abut against the valve pressing portion of the flow path component during displacement of the second slide member to the front position, and the forward movement thereof can be blocked so that the valve member reaches the open position.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pipe joint member according to the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view of a female pipe joint member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a corresponding male pipe joint member is connected to the female pipe joint member of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which fluid pressure is applied to the female pipe joint member when a corresponding male pipe joint member is connected to the female pipe joint member of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which fluid pressure is applied to the female pipe joint member before the male pipe joint member is connected to the female pipe joint member of FIG. 1.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] A female pipe joint member (pipe joint member) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a pipe joint member that is detachably connected to a corresponding male pipe joint member (corresponding pipe joint member) 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the female pipe joint member 10 includes a joint body 18 having an internal space 16 extending along a longitudinal axis L from a front end opening 12 to a rear end opening 14, and a connection locking member 22 disposed in a locking member holding hole 20 formed in the joint body 18. The female pipe joint member 10 further includes a first slide member 24, a second slide member 26, and a flow path component 28 respectively disposed in the internal space 16.

[0015] In this embodiment, the joint body 18 is composed of a front tubular member 32 and a rear tubular member 34 that are screwed together to form a tubular portion 30 defining an internal space 16, and an intermediate member 36 that is sandwiched and held between the front tubular member 32 and the rear tubular member 34 within the internal space 16. The intermediate member 36 constitutes an inner extension portion 38 that extends forward from the inner circumferential surface 30a of the tubular portion 30, and a slide housing space 40 is defined between the inner circumferential surface 30a of the tubular portion 30 and the outer surface 38a of the inner extension portion 38. As will be described later, the front end opening 12 of the joint body 18 is designed to receive a corresponding male pipe joint member 1. In addition, a female threaded portion 41 for connecting to a fluid supply source (not shown) is formed in the rear end opening 14.

[0016] The first slide member 24 has a cylindrical shape, with a portion of it located within the slide housing space 40, and its front end 42 positioned in front of the slide housing space 40. The first slide member 24 is also displaceable back and forth in the direction of its longitudinal axis L between a forward position (Figures 1 and 4) and a rearward position (Figures 2 and 3), and is biased forward by a spring 43 positioned between it and the inner extension 38 of the joint body 18. When the first slide member 24 is in the forward position, its locking step 44 engages with the flow path component 28, preventing it from displacing further forward.

[0017] The flow path component 28 has a front-end connecting portion 46 that connects to the corresponding male pipe joint member 1, a valve pressing portion 48 that extends elongated to the rear at the rear end, and a first flow path portion 54 that extends generally along the longitudinal axis L from the front flow path opening 50 of the connecting portion 46 to the rear flow path opening 52. The flow path component 28 is also displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal axis L between a front position (Figures 1 and 4) and a rear position (Figures 2 and 3), and is biased forward by a spring 56 positioned between it and the inner extension portion 38 of the joint body 18. When the flow path component 28 is in the front position, a stop ring 58 attached to its outer circumferential surface 28a engages with the inner extension portion 38 to prevent it from displacing further forward.

[0018] The second slide member 26 has a second flow path portion 60 that extends in the front-rear direction and communicates with the first flow path portion 54 of the flow path component 28. The second slide member 26 is also displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal axis L between a rear position (Figures 1 and 2) and a front position (Figures 3 and 4), and is biased rearward by a spring 62 positioned between it and an inner extension portion 38 within the joint body 18. The second slide member 26 is sealed between the inner circumferential surface 30a of the joint body 18 by a first seal member 64 attached to the joint body 18, and between the second slide member 26 and the outer circumferential surface 28a of the flow path component 28 by a second seal member 66 attached to the second slide member 26. The seals provided by the first seal member 64 and the second seal member 66 are maintained when the second slide member 26 and the flow path component 28 are displaced between their respective front and rear positions.

[0019] The connecting locking member 22 is positioned within a locking member holding hole 20 formed in the joint body 18 so as to be radially displaceable between a connected position (Figures 1, 2, and 3) and a disconnected position (Figure 4). The female pipe joint member 10 further includes a sleeve 68 positioned on the outer circumferential surface 18a of the joint body 18. This sleeve 68 is positioned so as to be displaceable back and forth along the longitudinal axis L between a locked position (Figures 2 and 3) that holds the connecting locking member 22 in the connected position and an unlocked position (Figures 1 and 4) that allows the connecting locking member 22 to be displaced to the disconnected position. The sleeve 68 is biased forward toward the locked position by a spring 70 positioned between it and the joint body 18.

[0020] The female pipe fitting member 10 further includes a valve member 72 positioned in the second flow path portion 60 of the second slide member 26. This valve member 72 is biased forward by a spring 74 positioned between it and the fitting body 18 and is pressed against a valve seat portion 76 formed in the second flow path portion 60. The second flow path portion 60 is closed when the valve member 72 is pressed against the valve seat portion 76.

[0021] The female pipe fitting member 10 further comprises a first locking element 78 positioned on the inner extension portion 38 of the fitting body 18 and a second locking element 80 positioned on the tubular portion 30. The first locking element 78 is displaceable within a first locking element holding hole 82 formed in the inner extension portion 38, between a displacement-permissible position (Figures 1 and 2) that protrudes radially inward from the inner surface 38b of the inner extension portion 38 and a displacement-preventing position (Figures 3 and 4) that protrudes radially outward from the outer surface 38a of the inner extension portion 38. The second locking element 80 is displaceable within a second locking element holding hole 84 formed in the tubular portion 30, between a holding position (Figures 1 and 4) that protrudes radially outward from the outer surface 30b of the tubular portion 30 and a release position (Figures 2 and 3) that protrudes radially inward from the inner surface 30a of the tubular portion 30.

[0022] In the state shown in Figure 1, where the male pipe fitting member 1 is not connected to the female pipe fitting member 10 and is not receiving fluid pressure from the rear end opening 14, the first slide member 24 is in the forward position, thereby holding the second locking element 80 in the holding position. The second locking element 80, held in the holding position, engages with the locking groove of the sleeve 68 and locks the sleeve 68. Unlock position It is held in place. Furthermore, the second slide member 26 is in a rearward position, which allows the first locking element 78 to move freely between a radially outward displacement-preventing position and a radially inward displacement-allowing position.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, when the corresponding male pipe fitting member 1 is inserted into the internal space 16 through the front end opening 12, the front end surface 2 of the male pipe fitting member 1 first pushes the first slide member 24 backward, and then pushes the flow path component member 28 backward. As shown in Figure 2, when the male pipe fitting member 1 is inserted to the predetermined position, the sleeve 68, which is biased forward by the spring 70, displaces the second locking element 80 radially inward, bringing it to the release position. The sleeve 68 is further displaced forward by the spring 70, causing the connecting locking member 22 to displace radially inward, bringing it to the connection position. The connecting locking member 22, now in the connection position, engages with the locking groove 3 of the male pipe fitting member 1, connecting the male pipe fitting member 1 to the female pipe fitting member 10. The connecting locking member 22 is also supported from the radial outside by the sleeve 68, now in the locked position, and is held in the connection position. The flow channel component 28 is connected by inserting its connecting portion 46 into the flow channel 4 of the male pipe joint member 1, and is pushed to a rearward position by the front end surface 2 of the male pipe joint member 1.

[0024] In the connected state shown in Figure 2, when fluid is supplied from the fluid supply source connected to the rear end opening 14 and fluid pressure is applied from the side of the rear end opening 14, the second slide member 26 is displaced to a forward position by the fluid pressure, as shown in Figure 3. The valve member 72, which is located in the second flow path portion 60 of the second slide member 26, is initially displaced forward together with the second slide member 26, but is prevented from moving forward by coming into contact with the valve pressing portion 48 of the flow path component 28. Therefore, the valve member 72 remains in the closed position, pressed against the valve seat portion 76 of the second slide member 26 and closing the second flow path portion 60 until it comes into contact with the valve pressing portion 48. However, as the second slide member 26 is displaced to a forward position, it comes into contact with the valve pressing portion 48 and is prevented from moving forward, causing it to be displaced rearward relative to the second slide member 26 and move to an open position that opens the second flow path portion 60. When the valve member 72 is in the open position, the flow path from the rear end opening 14 to the front flow path opening 50 of the flow path component member 28 is opened, and the fluid supplied from the fluid supply source is supplied to the male pipe joint member 1 through the female pipe joint member 10.

[0025] When disconnecting the connection, the fluid supply from the fluid source is stopped to eliminate fluid pressure from the rear end opening 14 (Figure 2), and the sleeve 68 is displaced to the release position. This allows the connecting locking member 22 to disengage from the locking groove 3 of the male pipe joint member 1 and displace to the disconnect position, which releases the connection with the female pipe joint member 10. In this state, the connection is released by pulling the male pipe joint member 1 out of the female pipe joint member 10.

[0026] On the other hand, when fluid pressure is applied from the rear end opening 14 side in the state shown in Figure 1, where the male pipe fitting member 1 is not connected, the second slide member 26 is displaced forward together with the valve member 72, as shown in Figure 4. As a result, the first locking element 78 is displaced radially outward by the second slide member 26 and held in a position where displacement is prevented. This causes the rear end portion 86 of the first slide member 24 to engage with the first locking element 78, preventing the first slide member 24 from being displaced from the front position to the rear position. The valve member 72 is displaced forward together with the second slide member 26 and therefore does not displace relative to the second slide member 26. Thus, the valve member 72 maintains a closed position that closes the second flow path 60. In this state, even if one attempts to insert the male pipe fitting member 1 from the front end opening 12, the front end surface 2 of the male pipe fitting member 1 abuts against the first slide member 24 which is held in the forward position, making it impossible to insert the male pipe fitting member 1 any further. Furthermore, since the male pipe joint member 1 does not come into contact with the flow path component 28, the flow path component 28 does not displace toward the rearward position. Therefore, although the second slide member 26 is displaced to the forward position, the valve member 72 does not come into contact with the valve pressing portion 48 of the flow path component 28, and thus does not enter the open position but remains in the closed position.

[0027] As described above, in the female pipe fitting member 10, even if an attempt is made to connect the corresponding male pipe fitting member 1 while fluid pressure is applied, the male pipe fitting member 1 engages with the first slide member 24 held in the forward position, making it impossible to insert it to the predetermined position. The operator can easily recognize that the female pipe fitting member 10 is already under fluid pressure and cannot be connected because the male pipe fitting member 1 cannot be inserted to the predetermined position.

[0028] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, in the above embodiments, the connecting locking member, the first locking element, and the second locking element are spherical members, but they can be of other shapes. In particular, the connecting locking member can be a chuck-shaped member that swings between a connected position and a disconnected position. Furthermore, the inner extension of the joint body can extend rearward from the inner circumferential surface of the tubular part, a part of the first slide member can be located radially inward of the inner extension, and a part of the second slide member can be located radially outward of the inner extension. In that case, the first locking element can be configured to protrude radially inward from the inner extension at the displacement-preventing position and engage with the first slide member, and then displace radially outward from there to the displacement-allowed position. Note that terms indicating direction such as "front," "rear," "forward," and "backward" in the present invention and the above embodiments are used simply to indicate the relative positional relationship in the configuration of the invention and do not necessarily mean the direction in the actual installed or used state. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0029] 1. Male pipe fitting component (corresponding pipe fitting component) 2 Front end surface 3. Locking groove 4 Flow channels 10 Female pipe fitting member (pipe fitting member) 12 Front end opening 14 Rear end opening 16 Interior space 18. Fitting body 18a Outer surface 20 Locking member retaining hole 22 Connecting locking member 24 First slide member 26. Second slide member 28 Flow channel components 28a Outer surface 30 Tubular part 30a Inner surface 30b Outer surface 32 Front tubular member 34 Rear tubular member 36 Intermediate member 38 Inner extension 38a External surface 38b Inside surface 40 slide storage space 41 Female thread section 42 Front end 43 Spring 44 Locking step 46 Connection part 48 Valve pressing part 50 Front flow channel opening 52 Rear flow channel opening 54 First channel section 56 Spring 58 Stop Ring 60 Second channel section 62 Springs 64 First sealing member 66 Second sealing member 68 sleeves 70 Spring 72 Valve member 74 Spring 76 Valve seat 78 1st lock 80 Second lock 82 1st lock retaining hole 84 2nd lock retaining hole 86 Rear end L Longitudinal axis

Claims

1. A pipe joint member that is detachably connected to a corresponding pipe joint member, A joint body having a front end opening, a rear end opening, a tubular portion having an internal space extending between the front end opening and the rear end opening, and an internally extending portion extending from the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion within the internal space, A connecting locking member is attached to the joint body and is displaceable between a connecting position in which it engages with a corresponding pipe joint member inserted from the front end opening to a predetermined position in the internal space to connect the corresponding pipe joint member to the pipe joint member, and a disconnecting position in which it detaches from the corresponding pipe joint member to release the connection between the corresponding pipe joint member and the pipe joint member. A first slide member is disposed within the internal space and is displaced from a forward position to a rearward position by being pushed by the corresponding pipe joint member when the corresponding pipe joint member is inserted to the predetermined position, A second slide member is disposed within the internal space and is configured to be displaced from a rearward position to a forward position when subjected to fluid pressure from the side of the rear end opening, A first locking element disposed in the inner extension portion, the first locking element being displaceable between a displacement-preventing position that prevents the first slide member from being displaced from the front position to the rear position and a displacement-allowing position that allows the first slide member to be displaced from the front position to the rear position, Equipped with, A pipe joint member configured such that when the second slide member is displaced to the forward position, the first locking element is held in a displacement-preventing position by the second slide member.

2. The inner extension extends forward from the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion, defining a slide housing space between it and the inner circumferential surface. The first slide member is at least partially located within the slide housing space, The second slide member is located at least partially radially inward of the inner extension, The pipe joint member according to claim 1, wherein the first locking element is configured to protrude radially outward from the innerly extending portion at the displacement-preventing position and engage with the first sliding member.

3. A sleeve is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the joint body and is displaceable between a locked position that holds the connecting locking member in the connected position and an unlocked position that allows the connecting locking member to be displaced to the disconnected position. A second locking element disposed within a locking element holding hole formed in the tubular portion, the second locking element being displaceable between a holding position in which it engages with the sleeve and holds the sleeve in the unlocked position, and a release position in which it allows the sleeve to be displaced from the unlocked position to the locked position, Furthermore, When the first slide member is in the forward position, the second locking element is held in the holding position by the first slide member. The pipe joint member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the first slide member is in the rear position, the second locking element is displaceable to the release position.

4. A flow path component is disposed within the internal space and has a front-end connecting portion connected to a corresponding pipe joint member inserted into the internal space, a rear-end valve pressing portion, and a first flow path portion extending rearward from the connecting portion, and is displaced from a front position to a rear position when the corresponding pipe joint member is inserted to the predetermined position, A valve member positioned behind the aforementioned flow path component, A spring that biases the valve member forward, Furthermore, The second slide member has a second flow channel portion that extends in the front-rear direction and communicates with the first flow channel portion, The valve member is displaceable relative to the second slide member between a closed position in which it is pressed against the second slide member by the spring to close the second flow path and an open position in which it is displaced rearward relative to the second slide member to open the second flow path. When the flow path component is in the forward position, the valve member moves forward together with the second slide member when the second slide member is displaced to the forward position, and remains in the closed position. The pipe joint member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the flow path component is in the rear position, the valve member is prevented from moving forward by contacting the valve pressing portion of the flow path component as the second slide member is displaced to the front position, thereby reaching the open position.

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